SMOTHERING second-half defence took Derby Trailblazers back to the top of Division One with a hard-fought 88-72 home victory over Kent Crusaders.
Derby were only ahead by three points at half-time after a tied first period but their improved defensive effort after the break sparked their offence to set up a solid win.
Derby went into the weekend without forward Raheem May-Thompson, serving a one-game game suspension following his ejection against Birmingham Mets two weeks ago, but Dan Watts to fitness returned with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Alex Dorr was also in fine form, missing only three shots on his way to 29 points, adding 10 rebounds.
It was 21-21 at the first break and five straight points from Dorr brought the second quarter to a close, with Derby 45-42 ahead.
Kent started the third with a basket from Oisin Kerlin and a triple from Dau Jok but it was to be his last as Trailblazers marked him out of the game.
From 55-51 in arrears, Derby produced an 11-0 burst and they ended the quarter leading 65-58.
Trailblazers doubled that in the opening 90 seconds of the fourth and though Crusaders briefly pulled it back to 78-66, another eight unanswered points established a
20-point lead.
With 32 assists to Kent's 20, it was once again a well orchestrated team-performance from Trailblazers.
